NAVI MUMBAI: The cost of the fourth terminal at JNPT, whose foundation stone will be laid by the PM on Sunday, is already up by Rs 1,215 crore. The project is being developed by port of Singapore authority on PPP mode.

The initial cost of the project was Rs 6,700 crore, said port sources, but a court case led to the delay. The new cost estimate is Rs 7,915 crore and work has started. The 2-km length of the terminal will be developed in two phases. The first phase is scheduled to be completed in November 2017 and the second phase by 2022, port sources said.

"The tender had been awarded after obtaining the green nod from MoEF in 2008. Port of Singapore got the contract but a court case caused the delay," said port sources.

GTI, one of the companies that operates one of the three terminals, filed a case contesting the monopoly clause of the shipping ministry. The project was retendered and Singapore port was the highest bidder but as they did not sign the mandatory concession deal, the tender got cancelled. The project was tendered again in June 2013 and awarded in May 2014.

SOURCE:timesofindia.indiatimes.com